This show rocked but when I compare this to my favorite '87 show: 3/31/87 Philly Spectrum - you can clearly hear how Garcia waned as this rocking year went on. Still good energy here (esp set II) but '87 clearly took alot out of him as that year went on. Tons of great energy was spent in the many months prior to Sept '87.

That 27 years have passed since the boys ROCKED MSG. Let's make it official perhaps for DP12.

1987 was a magical year(Dylan/Dead, Jerry Broadway)....the pinnacle of Jerry's recommitment, and as Bobby feels, their peak(I don't know about that). This show IMO was pure magic, right from the opening rip into Hell in a Bucket. I was a sophomore in HS taking the LIRR in from Stony Brook. My 3rd show ( Brendan Byrne in the spring and Dead/Dylan @ Giants prior) and honestly the 80 some I saw after really weren't as amazing as this Friday night at MSG. Rolling Stone has it listed as one of their Top 20 must have boots for a reason. Time for a pro release!!!

Even though the Dead's quality of playing during the 1980's was a hit or miss affair, depending on the year, there were certain runs at certain venues that you could always count on for the Dead being on their game and playing some memorable music. Madison SG was one of those places (see also MSG runs in 1990 and 1991).
I've wanted to review this show for a long time. Although I admit it's a slam dunk for a top ten, the majesty of this show can't be passed over, even at the risk of being cliche.
As with many of these 87 post-coma shows, there are not many trippy or long jams. But the clarity and strength of the playing quickly overcomes such critical bias. This show simply rocks.

Bucket blazes out with an attitude and sound that makes me think of the Beatles recording Revolution (the fast version). Listen to the guitars, what edge and drive!!
Sugaree is taken at a good tempo, laid back but with a kick. Jerry really stretches out the solo, plus delivers some not so croaky vocals. Okay, two great songs out of the gate, Bucket and Sugaree. Candyman shows that Jerry is feeling comfortable and is in his "epic song" mood. You know, the legend, ballad type of songs with symbolic lyrics that point both inward to the personal psyche and outward to the cosmos.
Bird Song is one of those. So is Terrapin, so is Morning Dew. And we get them all tonight.
I don't care much for Jerry's wah pedal use on Candyman, however. I prefer the older style Candyman. But, I'm sure if you were present and dosed, it sounded amazing.
Masterpiece was predictable, as in the Fall of 1987 they played a Dylan song almost every show.
We get a good version from Bob here, and the Dead do their best to sound like the Band with fine honky-tonk piano from Brent. Rather than drag along, Masterpiece continues the momentum and prepares us for a stellar Bird Song. Again, Jerry's voice is quite good here. The drummers weave tapestries of pulses behind Jerry on the jams, yet never get in the way. Garcia churns up the lightning with lots of Townsend type strumming. The crowd cheers the return of the chorus, and BTW - that's a nice feature of this SBD in that you do get a bit of the feel of the hall and the crowd in the mix. And for a mega-emotional show like this one, some crowd reaction is an essential part of the listening experience.

Set One is solid, with no embarrassing songs. Although there is nothing really 5 star outstanding about the set, it gets the job done.
The trickster element of this show is that you're not expecting the Warp Ten over the top music that's to follow in Set Two, especially in the post Drums section.

Shakedown is a fantastic spine-shaking start to the set. Jerry and Phil lay down the funk even George Clinton would be proud of. Women continues the danceable theme with lots of energy and great B3 work from Brent. A long call and response coda follows - which drops us squarely into the first chiming chord of Terrapin !!
Some have called Terrapin the Dark Star of the 1980's, and indeed it does have a similar beat and often serves (though not to my satisfaction) as a substitute trippy jam vehicle for the second set. But here the "inspiration does flow". Jazz fusion, prog rock, call it whatever. The whole band is in synch. Jerry hits the notes with confidence and the drummers thunder with passion. Is this the Who?? Wow!! And the crowd goes wild.

This is a show where you have to wonder what goodies awaited the band backstage during the break. Because as good as the show is up to this point, when they start Space, it's obvious they've decided to play at another level entirely. The post drums is almost like another show. Lots of mellow digital noodling from Garcia with quiet background layers from Bob.
Well your brain is on the ceiling by now, and so not expecting the boogie down version of GDTRFB that suddenly erupts out of nowhere. A rare treat (they only played it 9 times in 1987). This will not be the only surprise. Sparkling leads from Jerry and Brent's B3 is driving the train to gospel glory land.
And what can you say about this version of Watchtower? It's not quite as good as the version by Hendrix on Ladyland. Beyond that, all critique is pointless. Scorching guitar, drums that sound like John Bonham on steroids. A blast of sound another reviewer compared to the Maxell tape commercial - I have to agree!! Brent's B3 growls and roars. Garcia flies high above the waves.
A simple Bobby rock song would give an emotional rest here, but such is not to be. What follows is one of the greatest Morning Dews on record, anytime, anywhere. This song can be slow, long and boring. Or if all the right elements are present - it can rattle you to the core. This is one of those!! Phil can't play any lower without opening a time-space portal. Jerry can't play with any more passion without igniting his guitar.
And again, Garcia's voice really delivers the goods. Poignant after the coma, to say the least.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I'm surprised the whole building didn't collapse!! The crowd is losing their minds by the mega climax. Fireworks would have been appropriate here.
The Dead suddenly summons their second (or third) wind and decide to rock it out to the finish with this unique sandwich of Good Lovin with La Bamba.
And Heaven's Door is a dessert when we're already full, but we can't resist the temptation to experience ecstasy one more time.

A show for the ages. And a good one to play for friends that believe the Dead went downhill after Pigpen died. This whole MSG run is good, BTW and worth getting. But this one is special. 5 stars.
No goose bumps yet? Check thy pulse!

cheers,
Dr. Flashback :-)

And I still get the goosebumps too. This is a superior recording of one of my favorite shows of all time. It was my first day ever in Manhattan. We walked from the WTC through Chinatown, Little Italy and up Broadway to the Garden. I was blown away by the City and then by the Dead. The other shows that weekend were good, but this one stands out. This was the crowning achievement for me on tour, along with Europe '90, and maybe 9/7/85 Red Rocks and 2/19/91 Oakland. Thanks to the tapers and everyone at archive.org!

People, this show, hands down, is one of the best I have heard, ever, period. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that's my take. Even my wife, who hates the Dead, loves this show. East Coast overrated?, I don't think so, and I never even SAW an east coast show. I did see a lot of shows on the WEST coast during the mid 80's and I promise you none were as good as this one sounds, I wish I could have been there! The emotion Jerry brings out on Dew is unbelievable. This is my favorite live version of any song, ever, and I have a big collection of music, just like most of you. I think more than anything this show, or rather, the FEELING that listening to this show gives you, is the feeling I always want to have when I think back on those days. I just listened to both sets again in the car today and thought I would come on here and put this out there. I still get goosebumps every time I listen to Jerry's voice and guitar crescendo on Dew, even after listening to it 1,000 times.
Thank you, Jerry.

No way to comment on this show without including the Dew. The jam in this Dew is phenominal. Perfect musical orchestration by all members of the band and Jer just being on fire. Not sure if it was the Late Night appearance that fired up Jer and Bobby extra for this show but whatever it was it worked.

4 stars for monkeys-
JoeShoe

Freakin' Excellent Second Set. It shreds. It purees. It melts. It blazes.

BTW, beautiful perfect Dew, and I LOVE silly tunes like La Bamba, Do You Wanna Dance, etc from 87. Garcia, thank you so much. You rule.

Grate show. Grate sound quality.

give 10/12/84 a listen... it'll absolutely knock your sox off.. now don't get me wrong this is a great Dew but 10/12/84 will have you saying "holy crap!"... two interesting side notes on the 10/12/84 show 1) it's the show Phil talks about in his book where it was shortly after he got married and when Jer hits "this couple they got married, so well they did agre..." in Jack-a-Roe he winked at Phil.. you can tell he was anxious to drop the line too cause he does it twice! and 2) the UJB->PITB->UJB is all time classic!

AS MUCH AS I HATE TO TRASH PEOPLE JOE SHOE DESERVES IT. FIRST OF ALL THE MORNING DEW ON THIS DATE IS NOT ABOUT THE ENDING ALONE.DO YOU NOT HEAR GARCIA'S VOICE THRU OUT THE WHOLE SONG? I WILL NOT GO FURTHER AND WASTE MY TIME THOUGH,DUDE YOU ACTUALLY SAID 1993 DEW IS BETTER JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU YOU DO NOT GET ''IT''.GO LISTEN TO YOUR VINCE WELNICK PLASTIC MIDI DEAD.I THINK I WILL STAY WITH WHAT I GREW UP ON AND THAT IS '70'S'' REAL GRATEFUL DEAD.

I know I'll catch some heat from the Brent worshipers but I think this show in general, and the Dew in particular, is very overrated. This is an above average 87 show and not much more. The Dew is a damn good latter day version but not even in the same universe as 5-2-70, 5-26-72, 10-19-73, 10-18-74 or 5-8-77, not even fucking close man. Jerry's voice is pretty ragged and IMO it doesn't have the musical fireworks to live up to the massive hype. Hell I think 6-15-93 has a better Dew (yes I said 93). Also Dew should close the show. I hate those 80s versions where they go into some Bobby cheesefest like T Stones or Good Lovin after a heartrending Dew, on this version they dont even drop the bomb at the end!
I think this show may be a classic example of the overhyped east coast show that is so common.
Short first set. Funky Shakedown opens sweet second set. La Bamba is an embarassment, thank god they shelved it. Sweet Knockin'
Good, not grate IMHO.
4+ stars for 87.

this show smokes and will stand the test of time!
30 years from now it will sound great!! Great Sugaree,Candyman,Masterpiece,Birdsong,Shakedown Terrapin,Watchtower,La Bamba>Good Lovin>La Bamba and The Dew. I still think the 3/27/87 Hartford Dew is a tad better. I love this one also!!

Not only does this Dew bring me goosebumps every time but the Knockin' is simply one of the best out there. After the second verse, Brent lays down a huge solo, Jerry knows it and has to keep the pace stealing the solo from him as Brent does his usual gorgeous interplay with Garcia...nothing like it, except for him and Pigpen. Dont pass this one up, 87 MSG is legend.

In a word....WOW! I stumbled accross this show and have listened to it 3x already today.

GOOSEBUMPS is right! What an amazing 2nd set. Jerry singing La Bamba, was a first for me and brought a HUGE smile to my face! He's been gone so long and yet the gift he left behind keeps on giving! Thanks for sharing!

Three of us drove down from Toronto for the week and caught all the MSG shows in the City. This second set being the best set of the bunch. Anticipation was sky high for these MSG shows, the first shows there since the fall of 1983.

This was the end of a good run for me that began at the Garcia's December comeback shows in Oakland and went through Chicago in the spring, Alpine, Toronto, Rochester and Giant's Stadium in the summer.

Although it is far from perfect, this recording has a nice raw edge plus the feel of the juiced-up NY crowd. Btw, Weir had equipment problems during the Birdsong and that is why the first set is cut short. The band knew they had to put out in the second set and they did not disappoint.

Those first few notes as Jerry launches into the final Dew solo...

I remember being quite surprised when La Bamaba broke out of Good Lovin.' Had great seats and remember the twinkle in Garcia's eye when he started in...then he really really stepped into "Yo No Soy Marinaro..." Funny shit. I loved the multi-show MSG stands, not just because it was within a couple hours of my house but because of the way we all took over that part of NYC-- as evidenced on the MASSIVE staircase of the post office acrss the street. Man you just can't get that feeling any more. I had occasion to be in Hartford not long ago and had a few moments to walk around the dead hulk of the Civic Center (another fun scene site). I was picking up on the old vibes, the old Russian Lady, the camp sites in Bushnell Park...Jewell Street ... jump to today- so sad and dead- no Whalers, no shows, no Grateful Dead.

The first time I heard this show I got goosebumps listening to the Morning Dew!!! Amazing from start to finish. Jerry's playing after space made it very clear there was some inspired music left in the boys!!

Thanx to the dude who gave me a couple of green chicklets before going into the show,what a nite to be Deadhead!

I can't see how anyone can give this show less than five stars. Even though the first set was short, the boys made up for it and then some. Nothing else compares to the GDTRFB>Watchtower>DEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>Good Lovin>La Bamba>Good Lovin and Heaven's Door encore. Maybe the best 45 minutes they have played post '77. This was my first live Dew and it couldn't have been better!

Not a jammin’ show? Are you kidding me?? This show jams with the best of ‘em! When is a Madison Square Garden not a jammin’ show? LOL That crowd knows how to rock and inspire the band to play better (like the Hampton crowds). You know you’re in for a treat when Weir starts the show by saying, “Hey Rocky…watch me levitate Garcia!” LOL Pretty funny… This show smokes! Hell in a Bucket sets the tone for this incredible night. The band is totally on! Just listen to Bobby’s vocals and Garcia’s guitar on the opener. Amazing! They just cruise right into Sugaree after that… Bird Song has the crowd in a mellow state frenzy with Garcia’s lazy guitar playing, while setting the stage for greater things to come. Gotta love Brent’s backup vocals and keyboards on this song.

The 2nd set gets all the accolades because the 1st set is rather short. However, every single song from this show is “right-on” from the beginning to the end. Anytime you start a set with Shakedown (as in 6-30-85, Merriweather, 2nd set), the crowd gets spoiled, big-time! By the way, the 6-30-85 Shakedown is one of the top 3 Shakedowns of all-time, IMHO. Terrapin is off-the-hook, as always. GDTRFB > Watchtower > Morning Dew > Good Lovin’ > La Bamba > Good Lovin > Heavens Door is absolutely ridiculous! Just sic, man… May be one of the best sequences ever for a set! In fact, this 2nd set is easily one of the best sets of all time!

The Dew is certainly one of the best Dews from the ‘80s…maybe of all time! The same could be said for Knocking on Heavens Door. Jerry elevates his vocals and guitar during the last 3 minutes of Dew like never before! Absolutely breathtaking!! Even Jerry’s singing in La Bamba is impressive. Okay, he’s no Lou Diamond Phillips (the actor from the movie, La Bamba), but Phillips’ air guitar ain’t no Garcia or Los Lobos, either! LOL

By the way, the video for Good Lovin’ > La Bamba > Good Lovin’ is on YouTube. Check it out! If you are a Good Lovin' freak like me, then you definitely need to check out the one from 11-1-79. My favorite to date! But this one is right up there…believe me!

Definitely download the MattMan Remaster of this show. Best sound quality out there!

Danny from Northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C.
East-Coast Deadhead
rfkrox44@hotmail.com

PEACE-OUT!

Always one of my favorite Maxells!! I always keep comin' back for this second set over the course of many moons!! The whole show is great--but that second set is like Jerry just rising from the ashes like a Phoenix---when put into the context of the previous summers diabetic coma/flatline tragedy for Mr. Garcia. Here we are just over a year later and Holy Toledo, Colonel Potter!!!! The reviewer below who says it is not a jammin' show and says "the whole second set was FINE"----WOW!!!! That just does not match what I (or seemingly most other reviewers) have been listening to for so many years---This is one of the best shows I ever had in my hands-(EARS!) So much energy--Band and audience during that second set--Feel it!!

From time to time I read the reviews for this particular show just because its great to see how many people, old heads and new heads, marvel at it. It has to be right next to the top of the all-time list...just for the sheer energy of the night. It was eerily symbiotic between the band and the crowd. My friend came back from that tour and had a copy of it with him and it blew me away even just listening to it on a crapy car stereo on the way home from school; he was a budding taper back and knew the right people it seems...even back then. (Interesting note to that, and one that still amazes me to this day, is that HE's the Archivist now!...master of the vault.) BUT, that aside...no one seems to be blown enough away by the Terrapin to give it an honorable mention, so here it is! Its like listening to an cosmic opera, even the stars had to be listening that night.

This is one of those rare shows where you can just listen to any given tune and be blown away. The Dew is unbelieveable. You /cannot/ imagine how good it is. Just listen...worth getting a copy of, definitely

I was at this show...my first and we had backstage passes. We waited in light drizzle for the guestlist to arrive at the "special" entrance. When it finally did arrive, we entered and saw the remnants of a fiesta...the band was onstage. This really was a special experience, the show was top notch all the way through, the crowd seemed to get that there was a great vibe in the air that night. I was only 14 at the time, but I remember it like yesterday.

Totally agree that this wasn't a "jamming" show, but the intensity of the second set, especially Jerry on Dew and La Bamba (!) is almost unequaled, IMHO, in the 80's shows. I've been listening to the show for about 2 days now and just can't get over the subtleties and, well, the choreography, for lack of a better term, that the entire band portrays. For the non-Spanish speakers among us, the La Bamba lyrics Jerry sings are:

"In order to dance the bamba
In order to dance the bamba
You need a little bit of grace
You need a little bit of grace
And another little thing
Ah, higher and higher
Ah, higher I will go
Ah, Higher I will go (gee, what makes you go higher and higher??)

I am not a sailor
I am not a sailor
I am the captain (Captain Trips!)
I am the captain
I live for you
I live for you

gorgeous girl
gorgeous girl
gorgeous girl"

("Bamba" actually means "hottie", "bombshell", "hot mama", or something along those lines. This may be a semi-pornographic bastardization of the word "bomba" which means "pump". Fill in the blanks...) Screaming, understated second set.

This is not a jammy show at all, but it's a hot one nevertheless. Even Bird Song checks in at about 10 min, but it has the first occurrence I've heard of a very strong riff that would become commonplace. This Bird Song seemed twice as long to me at the time than it actually was, just because it was so different. (Review initially posted 1/06, edit 7/22/06) I wonder if this is really all of the Bird Song or if part of it got cropped due to a tape flip? The folks in front of me were taping, and they said the first set went a bit over 45 min.

The whole second set was fine, but the real story in this show is the Dew. Now, 5/8/77 is definitely the best, but this one is probably second. Jerry exploded into a screaming dissonance near the end that literally threw me backwards into my chair. Good Lovin>La Bamba>Good Lovin and Knockin sounded like a band that has come through it's catharsis and was having loads of fun on the other side.

That word perfectly describes this show. 20 years later i still get goose bumos and can almost cry

....well Phil's good anyway.....

This recording sounds better to me than the Vault PCM master. It's not as dry and scratchy. It's more condensed and tighter.It's worth mentioning because people might be overwhelmed by the 40 reviews of the other version and might not give this one a try. I'm getting the punch from the speakers where the other version the accents are not as prominent. It's noticable when you compare the two Sugaree's. The Hell in a bucket is too sloppy to use as a compass.The playing is above average for 1987

This is one of the greatest ever played without a doubt let alone the entire 80's. There is plenty of really sweet music in there and just listen to the crowd if you doubt this was a hot show. They really opened up every Garden show I ever saw - sad to say I missed this one.

Great show all around. I could not remember if I was at this one, but looked back at some old stubs and voila, I was! I wrote notes about it being a great show, but I did not recall the dew, per se. This is one of those great examples of the show being that much better in retrospect and hearing it on a recording.

THis was also the case with a show in Philly, at JFK Stadium, the last event to ever take place at that stadium. The date was 7/7/89, and that show smoked when I listened to it later. In fact, I can weigh in on the debate about the best Scarlet-Fire, as I think this one is WAY up there. Also check out the 5/26/95 Seattle Center, featured on Nugs.net- wow to that Fire on the Mountain

Feeling, fun, wonderful sound and magic was at this show.
It's a 5 for sure.

Probably the best 80's show I've heard on the archive. Everything smokes start to finish. If I have a beef (and I don't) it's that Brent's voice is a little low in this mix, but his keys are fantastic. It actually sounds like he stops singing in some spots (birdsong, shakedown) where he's usually out front.

One of the (many) all-time greats for the boys. It doesn't get much better in any era.

Sitting at my desk with freakin goosebumps on arms and legs as I listen to Morning Dew. My Friend Drew and I caught this show and the next night as freshmen in college. My first time in NYC.
As we heard Jerry wail the last couple of verses, it was obvious that we were witnessing something special. It seemed as cathartic to Jerry as it was to us in the audience. Only in Hampton the following year did I ever feel such electricity in the crowd and it really seemed as if the band felt it, too.

To all eighties fans---One of the best shows of the decade, and probably one of the top three post coma shows. The comment about Garcia's voice cracking (at the end of the Dew) was made by one of the three main writers of deadbase and is completely wrong---I am jealous of whatever drugs he was taking. The first set is short but note for note perfect. The second set starts with the tease of the Shakedown chord during the tune up to which the crowd absolutely EXPLODES. You can dl the tune up with this version (it's taken from another Board) and it is well worth it--talk about goose bumps. Speaking of physical sensations, the last scream of "I guess it doesn't matter anyway" BEFORE the final solo provokes a catharsis of emotional abandon--the emotional content of Garcia's anguished plea combined with the crowd reaction is not to be believed. I'm from Chicago (in the city) but there is no crowd--outside of a Hampton one--that even exists in the same universe as MSG. The ending to the Dew is well documented and deserving of the legend. Garcia starts playing the la bamba in the middle of Good Lovin and then sings it wonderfully, as he did throughout that tour. Never thought you'd hear him scream "Soy Capitan" to an adoring crowd hugh? It was just one of those nights. It's scary to think of how many there were before Brent's passing that is. In addition, to me, it was the best Heaven's Door they ever did (Frost 5.1.88 is also stunning)--IMHO, this show went a long way in marking his return to full strength. You can fit the first set and post space on one disc if you are only allowed one post 85 CD on your person. One of those very rare modern shows that shreds front to back, and no doubt, one for the ages.
Dstone5553@aol.com

Yep, this show definately rocks. The guitar work is sensational.

For those in attendance that night, have you ever felt that way since that night? - since that GDTFB, Watchtower, Dew was sent down as lightening from the heavens only to be nurtured into a restless wind. The boys gave us a gift this evening, never to be taken back, but always remembered, always. The forces of a million different energies and souls all coming together under one roof at one moment, -" I thought I heard a baby cry this morning....." That's the stuff, kids, right, there.

Thanks Matt Man, whoever you are. You've got the goods!!!

The

The boys drive home this concert and it makes for such a wonderful evening. Hands down the most epic Morning Dew ever! Jerry sings and the entire band plays with every ounce of their magnificant united soul! I'm talking about SOUL! Yes! Take note of your feeling as Jerry busts out La Bamba, without a doubt you're caught smiling! I'm talking about SMILING! Instant heaven! God love 'em!

Sound quality is great. Is this the first show after Bobby tried to 'levitate' Jerry on Letterman? Hence the Rocky & Bullwinkle bit before Hell in a Bucket?

althought the vault master recording is more than good...I prefer this copy as well

This is one of the best Shakedowns I have from the late 80s. Jerry is on - esp the last guitar solo - and Bobby and Brent do some great backup. Bobby builds on it with an energetic Women Are Smarter. The highlight for me is the Morning Dew. Jerry seems to realize right away that he has sung the wrong verse (young man moan as the third verse) but he goes with it and goes all out as he then makes where have all the people gone the fourth verse. His guitar playing from then on is not subtle at all and blazes through the end of the song. The Good Lovin'-LaBamba-Good Lovin' is a fun follow up on a great Dew.

This show is sick. Weir out on a tangent. Garcia in perfection. Crowd loving every minute. Why it's not an early Dick's, I'm not sure. Get it.

i agree with delavagus its a good copy. Its not the best show ever but its one of the best morning dew ive heard. great good lovin>la bamba.

To my ear, this is the best-sounding copy available. The source with (currently) 11 reviews -- the Vault PCM -- got all the love only because it was the first copy uploaded to archive.